Biohazard and Pathogen Disinfection in Calipatria, CA

Calipatria is a small incorporated city in northern Imperial County, in the Imperial Valley desert near the Salton Sea.

Calipatria sits about 180 feet below sea level, making it the lowest incorporated city in the Western Hemisphere.

Calipatria was founded in 1914 as Date City by the Imperial Valley Farm Lands Association, and its first post office opened that same year.

Calipatria incorporated in 1919.

Calipatria's great landmark is its 184-foot flagpole, erected in October 1958 and set in 18 feet of concrete, so that the American flag flying from it rides at sea level despite the town's below-sea-level elevation.

Calipatria's flagpole — once billed as the world's tallest and dedicated to 'Good Neighborliness' — was the brainchild of local druggist Harry Momita, who raised the money to build it.

Calipatria had 6,515 residents at the 2020 census, a figure that includes the inmates of Calipatria State Prison.

Calipatria State Prison opened in 1992 — briefly making Calipatria California's fastest-growing city that year — and it is the city's biggest employer.

Calipatria counts about 1,213 households, and roughly 82% of its residents are Hispanic or Latino.

Calipatria is one of California's poorest cities by per capita income, with an economy built on irrigated desert farming watered by the Colorado River.